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Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron has hailed his side’s 19-point AFL triumph over Port Adelaide as their best win for the year.
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It was a character building win for the young Giants, coming from 20 points down at the half and with their opponents in full flight.
Their second half was total domination, kicking 9.6 to 2.1 thanks to huge lifts in effort by Dylan Shiel, Stephen Coniglio and Shane Mumford. Port Adelaide started hot but yet again dropped away as the game went on.Their inability to sustain effort has killed them in season 2016.
Port Adelaide were well served by Brad Ebert who gave his all for four goals and Robbie Gray kicked three, but their midfield was blanketed and had no answers when the Giants turned up the heat.
The black spot for the Giants will surround Shane Mumford who went off late in the game with a knee concern – that will be the nervous wait for the Giants during the week who rely on him so much.
The record-breaking 12th home-and-away win propelled GWS to second on the ladder and one step closer to securing a home final.
“I thought it was our best win for the year because our boys found a different way to win,” Cameron said after the game.
“We’ve improved dramatically in our contested side of it this year. Some good sides have beaten us in that area over the year.
“But I just thought it was a really great solid effort from all 22 that participated. That to me shows that a club wants to go the extra yards.”
Now three games shy of eight-placed North Melbourne, Port look almost certain to miss out on playing in September.
Coach Ken Hinkley said his side’s performance had followed the same frustrating pattern as many of their losses to the competition’s best teams.
“We’re OK and we’re in it for bits but when they stepped on the pedal we weren’t able to keep going with them,” he said.
“I think it’s across the board against those teams. They’re able to step up a gear. When they step up we’re not able to stay with them.”
The Roar’s AFL MVP votes
3: Dylan Shiel – the man mainly responsible for dragging the Giants off their feet. 13 contested possessions, 8 clearances, 6 inside 50s and 8 score involvements were the stats but his ability to influence the contest to clear the ball changed the game.
2: Shane Mumford – it took him a quarter to figure out how to handle Jackson Trengove and the Port ruck setup, but once he did he carried on his merry way playing a key role in the middle and down back. The condition of his left knee will be critical to how far the Giants can go this year.
1: Tom Scully – Kept the Giants in the game through the first half and improved as the game went on. Scully has been great in 2016.
With AAP.